Animal Control

Overview of Animal Control

The City of Yakima has one full time Animal Control Officer on staff, and three Animal Control Officers on contract from the Humane Society. Animal Control Officers respond to citizen complaints regarding nuisance dogs, such as barking, running loose and keeping dogs in a nauseous, foul or offensive manner. Animal Control Officers also respond to sick and injured animals, as well as removing dead animals from streets and sidewalks. They investigate reports of animal abuse and neglect to assure the welfare of animals is being met. They respond to reports of dangerous dogs that are threatening the safety of people and their animals, and to incidents of dog bites. Animal Control Officers have the ability to charge people with violations of the Yakima Municipal Code pertaining to animals and can have violators arrested.

All animals picked up by Animal Control Officers are taken to the Humane Society of Central Washington, located at 2405 W. Birchfield Rd.

For barking dog complaints, the Animal Control Officer can charge the dog owner with the violation if 3 complaints are received during a 6 month period. On the 3rd complaint, a Declaration of Probable Cause must be completed by the complaining party, and the original signed form returned to the 2nd floor of City Hall, before any charges can be filed in court.

Biography of Officer Angel Reyes

The City of Yakima Animal Control Officer Angel Reyes came on board with the City of Yakima in May 2014. He is originally from Santa Barbara, California and moved to Yakima in 1996. Angel’s mentor, former Animal Control Officer Ben Zigan, paved the way for Angel to strive to keep our citizens safe as well as serving as a voice for our four-legged members of the community that cannot speak for themselves.